Solon hits Miriam's flights of fancy

First posted 03:37am (Mla time) Oct 03, 2005
By Michael Lim Ubac
Inquirer News Service

FROM the sphere of politics, the crisis wreaking havoc on the Arroyo administration has now soared into the realm of fairy tales and spy thrillers.

"This story is like announcing that Godzilla has emerged from the depths of the volcano, with Darna on his side, to devour the kingdom," opposition Parañaque Representative Roilo Golez said in a phone interview yesterday.

Golez was commenting on Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago's claim that former President Corazon Aquino and Senate President Franklin Drilon were plotting to assassinate President Macapagal-Arroyo if she did not resign or was ousted from office by Oct. 15.

Golez was referring to the fictional giant lizard and the Filipino's very own flying heroine.

A "fantastic tale," said the Parañaque lawmaker, who once served as Ms Arroyo's national security adviser and is now one of her chief critics.

"Let your imagination soar. That's how fantastic the tale seems to me, but the senator may have evidence which she must present, including the assassination stuff. Shades of Robert Ludlum," added Golez.

Ludlum is the bestselling master of the superthriller, known for his books like "The Apocalypse Watch" and the Jason Bourne series.

Seriously speaking, Golez reminded Santiago that she was making a sweeping accusation without presenting any evidence.

"The assassination story is very, very serious. In the House, if one makes a serious accusation against a colleague, attacking his/her integrity, the accuser must present the evidence. If unfounded, the aggrieved party can file a case in the committee on ethics," said Golez.

He said a public apology "may be demanded and once given and accepted, that's the end of the story."

He suggested that Santiago submit her accusations against Drilon to the Senate ethics committee.

"She should document her charges," said Golez.

Asked which fictional character he would compare Santiago to, Golez said: "No comment."

Akbayan party-list Representative Loretta Ann “Etta” Rosales was in no mood to make any literary allusions.

Rosales, chair of the House committee on human rights, said Santiago's claim should pass the test of wisdom, evidence and propriety.

"I hope that the Senate has some ethics committee to handle and discipline recalcitrants, to put her in her place. Rumor mongering is actually what she is doing. That does not befit the position of a senator," said Rosales.

Rosales added: "She is no different from a gossiper. She had reduced herself to that level."